Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

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Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is the presence of an extra, or accessory, abnormal electrical pathway in the heart. This additional pathway creates periods of very rapid heartbeats, called supraventricular tachycardia. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome usually is present from birth, though symptoms may not occur until the teenage or young adult years. The condition is not life-threatening in most cases. The presence of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome does not necessarily mean other heart conditions will arise, but the possibility of serious heart problems cannot be ruled out. Treatments are available to reduce or stop episodes of tachycardia. Ablation is a simple, catheter-based procedure that can permanently correct the symptoms of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

UAB Cardiovascular Institute delivers optimal patient care for heart rhythm disorders. You will be cared for by regional and world leaders in the treatment of heart arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia, and other heart rhythm abnormalities.

Our physicians evaluate the newest treatments and technologies and author professional publications that advance the field of arrhythmia treatment. Their extensive experience and academic backgrounds ensure that they are familiar with all types of heart rhythm disorders. Our academic medical center performs more than 600 heart rhythm-related procedures each year, and our success in treating all types of complex arrhythmias is well-documented. Our electrophysiologists have access to the UAB Cardiovascular Institute, one of the largest of its kind in the Southeast. It features the most advanced technology available, including four procedural suites dedicated to electrophysiology (the electrical signals in the heart). At UAB Medicine you are part of a program that carries out pioneering work in atrial fibrillation and advanced pacemaker and cardioverter defibrillator design.